Talent

Wal-Mart to Provide Health Benefits to Domestic Partners

Aug. 28, 2013

Full-time associates' spouses and domestic partners will be eligible for coverage in medical, dental, vision, life, critical illness and accident plans, the company announced.

Adrienne Selko

Walmart told employees yesterday that it would extend its health and other benefits to "domestic partners" of employees, including partners of the same sex.

In a postcard that was provided to the Bloomberg news organization, the largest U.S. employee said that full-time associates' spouses and domestic partners will be eligible for coverage in medical, dental, vision, life, critical illness and accident plans.

Research by the Human Rights Campaign shows 62% of Fortune 500 companies already offer domestic partner benefits. But the Supreme Court's June decision overturning part of a federal law that denied federal benefits to legally married same-sex partners has heightened attention on same-sex benefits.

The organization -- the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization -- praised Wal-Mart. "What matters in the workplace is how you do your job, not your gender identity or sexual orientation," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "As the nation's largest private employer, Walmart shows that doing the right thing is also good for business."

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.